This HBO documentary looks at the lifestyle of the modern day pimp, without any condemnation or real depth. These swaggering men (and one woman) discuss how they control their 'hos' as if they were regular businessmen. Although no regular businessman would dress in their flamboyant style which seems a parody of those 'Blaxploitation' characters in the 1970's movies. We see them preparing, with great seriousness of purpose, for 'The Pimp of the Year' competition, while guest star Ice-T tells of how proud he is of his pimp background, which he sees as little different to the record or film industry. Pointedly, violence towards the women is never addressed. All we see is a troupe of apparently adoring (and often skanky looking ) acolytes. As far as we learn from this, the prostitutes need a good pimp to look up to and 'take of them'. These fellows wax philosophical about their calling while seemingly lacking any moral view. Having said all that, the pic is lively and colorful, with a lot of amusing characters on display. Remember---never make eye contact with your pimp.
10 Reviews
ICE-T ... you've come a long way, man!
SONNYK_USA24 May 2005
"I got a P.H.D. - Pimpin' Ho's Degree!"
If pimps ever ran for public office, they could take over the government. That's how persuasive these guys are as they take over the lives of young women and make them glad to be working on the street as prostitutes.
Comic relief galore as the film follows it's assembly of pimps to the PIMP OF THE YEAR awards show - I kid you not! Note: "Hustle and Flow" is a great dramatic version of a pimp's life that practically mirrors real-life ascent of rappers like Ice-T - check it out. Opens the summer of 2005
If pimps ever ran for public office, they could take over the government. That's how persuasive these guys are as they take over the lives of young women and make them glad to be working on the street as prostitutes.
Comic relief galore as the film follows it's assembly of pimps to the PIMP OF THE YEAR awards show - I kid you not! Note: "Hustle and Flow" is a great dramatic version of a pimp's life that practically mirrors real-life ascent of rappers like Ice-T - check it out. Opens the summer of 2005
A generally worthless film that provides a few good belly laughs
finnadat-29 February 2000
A generally worthless film that provides a few good belly laughs at the individuals in da pimp game. You will sincerely wonder if these people are real and will be astounded that they exist in this day in age. If you are looking for a detailed character analysis of why the pimp/ho dynamic continues to be played out try another video; but if you want black-exploitation with a refined and very gold mid 90'z flavor pick it up. Yep, Yep..
Generally a very good film!
ssslawman27 May 2000
I thought "Pimps" was very colorful and fairly insightful. Some may find it easy to dismiss because of the seamy subject matter. However, this seaminess aside, the film was very good. Although the viewer isn't given a full biography of each pimp, we are given insights into their backgrounds and motivations and "professional" challenges (e.g. Mr. White Folk's race and Big Lexx's gender). Although "Pimps" may be a bit lowbrow for the Friends/Frasier/Will & Grace crowd, it is very insightful and entertaining.
The Homeboys are Now Giving Instructions
StevePulaski4 July 2010
Pimps Up, Ho's Down is quite a movie. It's about the secret life of pimps and what they do in their spare time, how they pick up women, and the hardships they go through. Basically a training video that could have been called "How to Become a Pimp", or "Pimping for Dummies".
It's generally a worthless film if your not a pimp, not looking to become one, or just don't want anything to do with them. But if you're like me, and look for the strangest Documentaries you might like this.
The film follows a group of African-Americans who are pimps. Ice-T, The Bishop Don Magic Juan, Mike Epps, and various other rappers make appearances as the film progresses. Director Brent Owens says research for this film took well over a decade to find and release to the public. Some of this footage is so dark, it's hard to see (and understand) what is going on.
We also get a perspective of women (often called hoes in this matter) either talking with the pimps, in an argument with them, or pole dancing and stripping at a night club for them. The women are treated very cruel in this film, being yelled at, and thrown around like a rag doll as well. I was taught to respect women so being a pimp shouldn't be my occupation.
The film is Rated R for Strong Sexual Content and Pervasive Language which is the mild term. I would have rated it NC-17 for Nonstop Language, Strong Sexual Content, Stripping and Disturbing Scenes Involving Women. Thats how bad it was.
The constant use of "The N Word" should be warned in the rating description is well. If "The N Word" is used more than twenty times in ten minutes, it should receive an NC-17 rating.
I find also kinda funny that the people interviewed encourage young people out there "To stay in school, get an education, and become a doctor or a lawyer. Not a pimp." Which I have to admit is pretty funny coming from a pimp. If you don't want to be one, drop out, and get a real career. No one twisted your arm to be a pimp, you're there because of your mistakes. You want to blame your family, or the town you grew up in for your mistakes. Think twice you should blame yourself.
Why I gave it two and a half stars is because this could have been volume four to the Hood Life series. If you don't know what that is, it's a series following gang fights, car chases, and drive by's all happening late at night in the ghetto. It's informative and shocking in parts as well. But this is how some people behave and chose to live their lifestyles.
Starring: The Bishop Don Magic Juan, Ice-T, and Mike Epps. Directed by: Brent Owens.
It's generally a worthless film if your not a pimp, not looking to become one, or just don't want anything to do with them. But if you're like me, and look for the strangest Documentaries you might like this.
The film follows a group of African-Americans who are pimps. Ice-T, The Bishop Don Magic Juan, Mike Epps, and various other rappers make appearances as the film progresses. Director Brent Owens says research for this film took well over a decade to find and release to the public. Some of this footage is so dark, it's hard to see (and understand) what is going on.
We also get a perspective of women (often called hoes in this matter) either talking with the pimps, in an argument with them, or pole dancing and stripping at a night club for them. The women are treated very cruel in this film, being yelled at, and thrown around like a rag doll as well. I was taught to respect women so being a pimp shouldn't be my occupation.
The film is Rated R for Strong Sexual Content and Pervasive Language which is the mild term. I would have rated it NC-17 for Nonstop Language, Strong Sexual Content, Stripping and Disturbing Scenes Involving Women. Thats how bad it was.
The constant use of "The N Word" should be warned in the rating description is well. If "The N Word" is used more than twenty times in ten minutes, it should receive an NC-17 rating.
I find also kinda funny that the people interviewed encourage young people out there "To stay in school, get an education, and become a doctor or a lawyer. Not a pimp." Which I have to admit is pretty funny coming from a pimp. If you don't want to be one, drop out, and get a real career. No one twisted your arm to be a pimp, you're there because of your mistakes. You want to blame your family, or the town you grew up in for your mistakes. Think twice you should blame yourself.
Why I gave it two and a half stars is because this could have been volume four to the Hood Life series. If you don't know what that is, it's a series following gang fights, car chases, and drive by's all happening late at night in the ghetto. It's informative and shocking in parts as well. But this is how some people behave and chose to live their lifestyles.
Starring: The Bishop Don Magic Juan, Ice-T, and Mike Epps. Directed by: Brent Owens.
The greatest thing I ever saw as an 8th grader
expandingman28 March 2006
My friends and I saw this on HBO in our hotel room during a school field trip in 8th grade (summer 1998). Naturally it was the only thing we talked about for the rest of the trip. And one of our teachers saw it too, so we would make references to it and he would start laughing, which was great.
I can't rate this film accurately due to having seen it so long ago, but I'll give it a 5 since Bishop Don is hilarious, and you get to see a stripper grab a dollar bill with her snatch. From a moral standpoint, the movie is pretty demeaning to women since they are treated as property and employees. So if you can get past that, I think the pimp status attitude of the pimps is fairly entertaining.
I can't rate this film accurately due to having seen it so long ago, but I'll give it a 5 since Bishop Don is hilarious, and you get to see a stripper grab a dollar bill with her snatch. From a moral standpoint, the movie is pretty demeaning to women since they are treated as property and employees. So if you can get past that, I think the pimp status attitude of the pimps is fairly entertaining.
The only pimping movie with good interviews and plenty of trashy people to laugh at
Godof196711 January 2006
a rare glimpse in to the pimping lifestyle, shows just how a ridiculous amount of money can be wasted on providing just the right trashy pimped-out look. although this documentary can be a little bit slow in parts, it's one of those films where you say to yourself "i'm so glad i saw it once, but probably wouldn't sit through it again".
I rated a 9 due to unique content. i've seen other documentaries about pimping, none really have the content that this does. the pimps interviewed in this film were very open and contribute a lot of information to make this documentary something special.
Fur coats, over-sized pointless jewelry, big shiny classic cars.
I rated a 9 due to unique content. i've seen other documentaries about pimping, none really have the content that this does. the pimps interviewed in this film were very open and contribute a lot of information to make this documentary something special.
Fur coats, over-sized pointless jewelry, big shiny classic cars.
pretty good documentary
deebonyc23 April 2003
pretty good stuff, given the surge of interest into "pimpin" through rap music....
look for mike epps (next friday, friday after next, how high, bait) in an uncredited role doing a stand-up role at one of the pimp shows.
look for mike epps (next friday, friday after next, how high, bait) in an uncredited role doing a stand-up role at one of the pimp shows.
See how Daddy does his.
ElijahCSkuggs28 April 2010
What we got here is a fine piece of documentary film-making that gives a nice look into the game. What you say? The Pimp game, brutha, know what I'm saying.
Ya's got Scorpio, Don Juan, Big Lex, Snooky and all the top mac's spitting their game at you and all their ho's, know what I'm saying. And the ho's on display here are for real, know what I'm saying, they got the asses up in the air all day long for sho'. These bitches know what time it is, and if they don't know, then they get shut down, know what I'm saying. If they get outta pocket, they get pimp arrested. That ain't practiced by all Pimps, but some still keep their ho's on a collar for sho', know what I'm saying. Besides the bitches ya get to know the Pimps style, their rides, their swagger, and just everything that makes them suitable for the pimpin' game, know what I'm saying.
The pimpin' game ain't easy. It's got trials and tribulations of any stressful job, know what I'm saying. Everybody's hating the Pimp, but they don't give a f@ck, cause it's all about making the buck, know what I'm saying. If you feel like you could be a pimp, or think ya are already, check yourself, and see how a real Daddy does it, know what I'm saying.
Ya's got Scorpio, Don Juan, Big Lex, Snooky and all the top mac's spitting their game at you and all their ho's, know what I'm saying. And the ho's on display here are for real, know what I'm saying, they got the asses up in the air all day long for sho'. These bitches know what time it is, and if they don't know, then they get shut down, know what I'm saying. If they get outta pocket, they get pimp arrested. That ain't practiced by all Pimps, but some still keep their ho's on a collar for sho', know what I'm saying. Besides the bitches ya get to know the Pimps style, their rides, their swagger, and just everything that makes them suitable for the pimpin' game, know what I'm saying.
The pimpin' game ain't easy. It's got trials and tribulations of any stressful job, know what I'm saying. Everybody's hating the Pimp, but they don't give a f@ck, cause it's all about making the buck, know what I'm saying. If you feel like you could be a pimp, or think ya are already, check yourself, and see how a real Daddy does it, know what I'm saying.
Good idea, but not explored fully
aaron-7131 January 2000
Although I appreciated this unique idea to explore the pimp's perspective of the lifestyle rather than the prostitutes', the director fails to tell us anything explorative about his subjects. We see a lot of their externals but not enough about their background or psychology. Also, the subjects are incredibly hard to understand. Maybe the film need subtitles.
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